Tummy bug

[Luckypoppy]

Started being sick and upset tummy at 5 last night. Was sick for two hours. Managed to sleep uninterrupted for 5 hours so don't think it's norovirus. Tummy still upset this morning.

Rang in sick but feel bad as missing important meeting.

Any ideas to make me feel better? Or just what has caused it?

[GeoGirl94]

I had this Sunday night i think, took Monday off, went back to work yesterday, came in this morning too and now its kicked off again! wish i knew what it was- there are several of us looking various shades of green and pasty right now- i see mass exits after lunch!! maybe try dry toast, or mint tea? or chamomile? seemed to work Monday for me- hope you feel better soon!!

[Luckypoppy]

Thanks. Managed to eat a couple of ginger nuts and have reached for the Imodium.

Very lethargic.

[Elspeth12345]

It does sound like Norovirus. There are lots of different strains so some are shorter lived than others. Nearly all stomach bugs are caused by Norovirus (90%) and there are lots of strains.

You should definitely take at least two days off from the last vomit or episode of diarrhoea (whichever comes last!) as it's highly contagious- particularly in the first 48 hours but for up to a week. Also practice very frequent handwashing with soap to prevent its spread and you can also buy 'anti-viral' sanitizer to prevent it spreading to family members/friends/colleagues.

You can get someone to buy 'Buccastem' tablets from Boots, which are an anti-emetic to stop you from vomiting any more.

Imodium for the diarrhoea.

Then when well enough try ice lollies, ginger biscuits/ginger pieces, diet coke/pepsi max (the phosphoric acid in diet coke/pepsi max acts as a mild anti-emetic too!). Mints might also help you feel a bit less crappy!

[Elspeth12345]

GeoGirl, it's probably a good idea to go home to prevent it spreading any more.

[Luckypoppy]

Thanks. I'm a constant hand washer and gel user so that should help things!

Coming round a little now.

Must be a different strain to the norovirus I had years ago as that was constant.

[Luckypoppy]

And I'm addicted to Diet Coke so at some point I'm sure I shall be reintroducing that.

Thanks again

[Elspeth12345]

Hi Luckypoppy,

Hope you're feeling better now!!

Sorry I didn't mean to imply that you didn't wash your hands often. Everyone gets bugs whether they do or don't but just said it in case you were one of those people who only washes their hands five times a day!

[Luckypoppy]

Don't worry I didn't take it as that.

I work in an environment where hand washing is essential!

I'm 100% better. Thanks for asking. Just still a little tired.